Distress signal for electricallyoperated clocks



May 25, 1937.

W. P. ELLIOT DISTRESS SIGNAL FOR ELECTRICALLY OPERATED CLOCKS Filed Dec. 28, 1954 *ATToRNEY Patented May 25, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISTRESS SIGNAL FOR ELECTRICALLY- 5 Claims.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in View are: To provide clocks of the character mentioned with illuminated index for disclosing the fact of what is styled periods of distress, namely, periods during which the clock operation has been interrupted through failure of electric current supply; to employ as a signal to indicate interruption periods an illuminated electrically-operated gas glow lamp of low wattage consumption; to control the current employed in the illumination referred to; and to simplify the construction.

Drawing Figure 1 is a view of a typical electricallyoperated clock used here for illustration purposes only, and equipped with a distress signal mechanism, constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention, the rear of the clock casing being removed.

Figure 2 is a plan View of the works, or c0ns'truction of the said typical clock and of the distress detector and signal mechanism constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 is a detailed view in perspective showing the switch for operating the distress signal, said switch being constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention.

Figure l is a diagrammatic View showing the electrical wiring and parts affected thereby as employed for operating the distress signal as indicated.

Description As seen in the drawing, a clock of the type mentioned, and to which the present invention is applied, has an electric motor provided with a field winding 5, and field core 6 for operating the rotor l, operatively connected with the clock mechanism.

The magnetic pull of the field core 6 when energized is utilized in the present invention to hold in vigilant position the switch member 8. The member 8 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 9. The switch member 8 and insulated member [0 are oii center or so disposed that when not held by the magnetic pull of the motor field, in the raised position shown in Figure 1, the former will fall between the switch members H to complete the electrical circuit employing wires l2, l3 and I6. The position of the switch member 8 incident to and following any period of distress or failure of operation of the clock due to lack of current supply is shown in Figure 3.

To prevent switch members 8 and Hi from re clining backward when being swung into an elevated position, a stop arm 28 has been so placed as to rebound these switch members to a tilted position towards members H, with a slight gap 5 between the members 8 and 26 after member 8 has come to a fixed upright position.

In the present invention this switch remains constant until manually reset, or until the shaft 9 is manually turned to reset the switch member 19 8 and insulated member I0 to the upright position shown in Figure l of the drawing, and the soft iron magnetic detent M is in proximity to the field core 6 of the motor to be held by magnetic attraction of the motor field core when en- 15 ergized, in position to maintain the elevated position of the switch member 8. The magnetic pull is sufiicient to hold the detent M in the upright service position of member 8.

When, for any reason, the electric current operating the motive power of the clock is interrupted, the field core 6 will become de-magnetized. In this condition the detent Hi ceases to hold the switch member 8 in elevated position and the weight of the members 8 and it causes the member 8 to be dropped between the switch members I I to the position shown best in Figure 3 of the drawing.

When, now, the motive current is reestablished, the clock mechanism is again put in oper- 51c. ation with the result that unless otherwise notified, the person depending upon the clock for time would conclude that it was registering correctly. This would be misleading as to the time, due to the loss during the period when the mechanism was in distress. It is to effect a positive indication of such distress, or of distressed periods that I have provided a neon gas glow lamp 15 so disposed as to be visible when illuminated. The current causing the lamp 15 to glow is supplied 4 by the wiring l2, l3 and i6, which are connected with the electrodes within the lamp 5. The quantity fiow of the current supplied to the lamp I5 is regulated by a resistance [8, placed in series in the circuit wiring I2, 13 and iii. The wires [3 and It, as is shown by the diagram in Figure 4 of the drawing, are cut in and securely connected with the wires of the operating circuit of the clock motor.

When gas glow .lamps of ratings less than of a watt are used, there is apt to be, at times, a slight flickering glow in such lamps with the switch member 8 in an upright open position especially when the lamp wire i3 is being serviced from the grounded wire of the house circuit. To

eliminate this annoying feature, there is provided a resistor I! shunted by wire I9 across the lamp wires I2 and I6.

It will be observed that when now the current is supplied to the clock motor subsequent to a distressed period, the switch member 8 is in contact with the members II thus establishing a circuit through the lamp i5, and so causing the same to glow, with the result that the interested persons are made aware of, or notified, that the time record as shown by the clock is not to be relied upon.

By using an illuminated member such as the lamp l5, a simple and reliable indicating signal is provided, and one which can be readily recognized or seen in a lighted room as well as when the room is darkened.

When now the time indicating members such as the hands of the clock have been readjusted to correct positions, the shaft 9 is turned manually by revolving resetting knob 9 to lift the switch member 8 from contact with the members H to be held in this elevated position thereafter by the magnetic attraction of the motor field core 6 for the magnetic detent [4.

It will be understood that while I have herein described the use of the neon gas glow lamp, I do not wish to be restricted to such employment, as I have used the neon type of light only because, in my opinion, the low wattage required to illuminate the lamp, its low heat radiation and its highly conspicuous light together with other features has made it the most desirable element of the character mentioned.

I claim:

1. In combination with a clock actuated by an electric motor, a distress signal comprising an electrically operated gas glow lamp, a circuit for operating the same cut in upon the operating circuit of the clock motor, and means for limiting and controlling the electrical current to operate the said gas glow lamp subsequent to a distress period of the motive power of the clock, said means embodying a resistance element shunted across said lamp and a resistance element disposed in series, both in the circuit servicing said lamp.

2. In combination with a clock actuated by an electric motor, a distress signal comprising an electrically operated gas glow lamp, a circuit for operating the same cut in upon the operating circuit of the clock motor, and means for limiting and controlling the electrical current to operate the said gas glow lamp subsequent to a distress period of the motive power of the clock, said means embodying a resistance element shunted across said lamp and a resistance element disposed in series, both in the circuit servicing said lamp, and means operating mechanically for closing the circuit for operating said lamp, said circuit being completed immediately following the suspension of the motive power of the clock works.

3. In combination with a clock actuated by an electric motor, a distress signal comprising an electrically operated gas glow lamp, a circuit for operating the same cut in upon the operating circuit of the clock motor, and means for limiting and controlling the electrical current to operate the said gas glow lamp subsequent to a distress period of the motive power of the clock, said means embodying a resistance element shunted across said lamp and a resistance element disposed in series, both in the circuit servicing said lamp, and means operating mechanically for closing the circuit for operating said lamp, said circuit being completed immediately following the suspension of the motive power of the clock works, said last named means embodying rigid switch terminals and a weighted switch member, said switch member being adapted to drop between and electrically bridge the switch terminals when not held therefrom by the magnetic attraction of the magnetic held of said motor when electrically energized.

4. In combination with a clock actuated by an electric motor, a distress signal comprising an electrically operated gas glow lamp, a circuit for operating the same cut in upon the operating circuit of the clock motor, and means for limiting and controlling the electrical current to operate the said gas glow lamp subsequent to a distress period of the motive power of the clock, said means embodying a resistance element shunted across said lamp and a resistance element disposed in series, both in the circuit servicing said lamp, and means operating mechanically for closing the circuit for operating said 1 lamp, said circuit being completed immediately following the suspension of the motive power of the clock works, said last named means embodying rigid switch terminals and a weighted switch member, said switch member beingadapted to drop between and electrically bridge the switch terminals when not held therefrom by the magnetic attraction of the magnetic field of said motor when electrically energized, and manual means for returning the switch member to its open circuit position.

5. In combination with a clock actuated by an electric motor, a distress signal comprising an electrically operated gas glow lamp, a circuit for operating the same cut in upon the operating circuit of the clock motor, and means for limiting and controlling the electrical current to operate the said gas glow lamp subsequent to a distress period of the motive power of the clock, said means embodying a resistance element shunted across said lamp and a resistance element disposed in series, both in the circuit servicing said lamp, and means including an armature, a member magnetically energized by the same electric current as that servicing the clock motor, and a switch controlled thereby for closing the circuit for operating said lamp; said switch being normally held in an open circuit position by the magnetic action on said armature, said means being arranged to move automatically to a closed circuit position with the armature outside of the effective range of the magnetic attraction of said member, on failure of the electric current servicing the clock motor, and manual means for re-establishing the open circuit position of said switch member.

WILLIAM P. ELLIOT. 

